New figures released by the Australian government reveal that average wait times for aged care services have surpassed 365 days, prompting criticism from opposition parties. The data, quietly published during a budget lock-up, shows that thousands of elderly Australians are waiting over a year for home care packages.
Opposition spokesperson for aged care, Anne Ruston, accused the government of burying the report, stating that 'Australians are literally dying while waiting for care.' The government has defended its record, citing increased funding in the recent budget, but advocates argue that demand far outstrips supply.
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, as of March 2026, over 100,000 people were on the national queue for home care packages, with the average wait time for a Level 3 package exceeding 12 months. The government has pledged to allocate additional places, but critics say the pace of reform is too slow.
